Integration of Google Maps in OpenLayers 3

Building a webmapping application using the OpenLayers 3 JavaScript
library is a breeze. Its features are numerous, rich and extremely versatile.
In terms of quality and performance, it surpasses by far its predecessor
OpenLayers 2.

Despite all its advantages, there is one important feature that it doesn’t
support that even its predecessor did: Google Maps API layers support.
Until now, the suggested solutions that allowed both of them to work
together were not officially supported, nor even recommended.

Say hello to OL3-Google-Maps!

OL3-Google-Maps is an Open Source library introduced by
Mapgears that allows Google Maps layers to be added inside an OpenLayers
map. Its objectives are:

make the addition of Google Maps layers within OpenLayers easy and transparent
ensure that what’s on the map is synchronized while navigation
animations are in progress
no Google Maps API knowledge required

The library is still young. Version 0.2 was just released yesterday.
Among its features:

vector layer and features support
vector styling support, which are transformed into native Google Maps styling
view synchronization between OpenLayers and Google Maps

Examples

You can see the library in action through some examples available on-line:

A simple map with a single vector feature
A map with multiple vector features styled with text
A complex map showing pretty much everything
currently supported by the library.

Under the hood

If you’re a bit geek like us, you’ll be interested in knowing how
the library works.

As soon as a Google layer is added in the OpenLayers map, the
library is activated and creates a Google Maps map which gets
inserted below the OpenLayers one. The vector features rendered
in the OpenLayers map become invisible, while they’re also being
added to the Google Maps map. Each feature is synchronized with
its counterpart. Modifying one that comes from OpenLayers updates
the one from Google Maps. This allows programming the application
using only the OpenLayers API.

Special thanks

We want to thank Brandify for funding the initial
development of the library leading to the current 0.2 release.
Established in 1997, Brandify (formerly known as Where2GetIt) is an
industry-leading provider of location-based digital marketing
solutions that provides brands with a better understanding of their
connection to their customers.

from Planet GS via John Jason Fallows on Inoreader http://ift.tt/1LT6h9v
Mapgears Team